By Gail, The Playful Expert
Play is crucial to the development of children’s fine and gross motor skills. Through play, children practice and perfect control and coordination of large body movements, known as gross motor skills, as well as the coordination of small muscle movements, known as fine motor skills.
Motor skills are essential for a child’s physical strength and movement. They are used every day and throughout their lives. They help us move and do everything from lifting, walking and running to eating our food, speaking, singing and writing on a keyboard. Motor skills and motor control begin developing from when a child is born and progress as the child grows.
Motor skills are broken up into two categories: gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Mastering both is essential to help support your child throughout their lives. If they are unable to do everyday tasks, it will affect their self-confidence, ability to develop self-care and independence skills and their academic performance.